January 8, 2011

Voting

Voting is a technique that takes seemingly opinionated or outrageous statements about a topic that might elicit a quick response but which become more and more clear when discussed. In a way, “agree or disagree” statements are like a paradox. A paradox is an ancient teaching method that makes a bold statement that initially seems like a contradiction, but later begins to make sense as more thought is applied to it. For example, in Matthew 16:25 Jesus says, “For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it” (NIV). In order to understand this statement, the student is required to think carefully about the content.